RWA Biennial Open 2025: Paper Works

Paper Works, the RWA’s Biennial exhibition opening in January,  is all about paper. Selected from an open submission it celebrates paper as a surface for drawing and printmaking and as a sculptural material. Paper is the star of the show revealing itself in many different guises. Hand made paper, different types of Japanese tissue, papier maché, and paper pulp are just some of the materials being used to create drawings paintings sculpture and architectural models. It is manipulated, burnt, cast, folded, walked on and torn. It is used for collage and all types of printmaking from lino to collograph, lithography, etching and woodcut.

The work in the exhibition ranges from powerful visceral charcoal drawings to hangings so delicate as they move in the still air that it almost seems as if they do not exist. There are tiny intimate paintings, exquisite fine line drawings on costly cotton rag paper and expressive vibrant works on packaging cardboard and paper animal feed sacks. If you love paper you will love this show and if you don’t know anything about it come with the RWA on a voyage of discovery. 

The selectors

The selection panel included RWA Academicians Fiona Robinson PRWA, Peter Ford RE RWA,Toni Davey RWA, Juliette Losq RWA and Ian Chamberlain RWA, as well as artist and master paper maker Elaine Cooper 

Prizes

Niche Print Makers Award, sponsored by Niche Frames | Awarded to any work using printmaking techniques | Prize: £250 in printing and framing, and £250 cash  

St Cuthberts Mill Paper Prize, sponsored by St Cuthberts Paper Mill | Awarded to any work on paper | Prize: 20 sheets of Saunders Waterford CP 300gsm paper worth over £165 

 
Cass Art Materials Award, sponsored by Cass Art | Awarded to: Any artist | Prize: £50 voucher to spend at Cass Art  

About the RWA and the Paper Works Biennial Open

The Royal West of England Academy is the only regional Royal Academy and Bristol's first art gallery, bringing world-class visual art to the South West since 1858.  Our beautiful Grade II* listed building has recently undergone a £4.5m redevelopment, making it one of Britain’s most accessible galleries. 

The RWA’s Annual Open Exhibition has been running for over 170 years and is a firmly established fixture in the UK’s art calendar, attracting thousands of entrants, visitors and buyers every year. 

The 2025 Biennial Open Exhibition: Paper Works, builds on that long experience, and forms part of our commitment to champion and showcase world-class art in the region and create opportunities for new and emerging talent. 

Paper Works will run in the main galleries from 24 January - 27 April 2025, and as well as the selected entries will include work by invited artist Ian McKeever RA.

It is presented alongside the landmark exhibition Paule Vézelay: Living Lines, celebrating the pioneering abstract modernist artist Paule Vézelay who began her career studying printmaking in the early twentieth century at the school of art in the RWA building.

 *Please note - The entry fee is non-refundable after the submission deadline, regardless of whether your work is selected. The RWA is an independent arts charity reliant on earned and donated income to cover its costs. Submission fees for Open exhibitions are an essential part of our income, helping to cover the operating costs for our landmark building and continue the work we are doing across Bristol to enable people and communities to benefit from art and creativity, including those with disabilities and other wellbeing challenges, and people with economic and societal disadvantages.  By submitting you are helping to support us - thank you!

Image: 171 Annual Open Exhibition, installation view, RWA, 2024.